The meeting was called to order by President Karla Spencer at 1:30pm. Board members present were: Karla Spencer, Jim Ollar, Tom Henderson, Gail Carlson, Bob Schultheis, Eldon Cole, Barbara Froke, Brenda Procter, Joan Hickman, and Rex Ricketts. Absent were David Lindell and Pat Snodgrass.

Review and update agenda – Karla asked for any additions to the agenda. Because Jim and Tom needed to leave early for other commitments and Bob was running late, the order of the agenda was changed.

Treasurer's Report -- Tom Henderson reported that as of 6/30/00, the savings account balance is $3,047.50 and the checking account balance is $219.20, for a total of $3,266.70. He indicated that the retirement program will have implications for cash flow of ESP in the next two years. Jim Ollar moved to accept the treasurer’s report and submit it for future audit. Motion was seconded and passed.

Nominating Committee Report – Jim Ollar presented the following slate of officers for 2000-2001: Gail Carlson, President; Georgia Stuart-Simmons, President-Elect; Roxanne Miller, Secretary; and Bob Schultheis, Annalist.

Minutes – Minutes of the April 19, 2000 board meeting were distributed by Bob Schultheis and reviewed. A motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the minutes as presented. Bob also reported that the Missouri ESP Web site is now linked to the National ESP Web site.

Professional Improvement Committee Report -- Joan Hickman reported that the cost of the November 30, 2000 satellite downlink will be $300 for 2-10 sites, and the Director’s Office, with the help of Jim Ollar, has agreed to cover that cost. Regional contacts are: Nancy Flood, NE; Linda Rellergert, EC; Mike Milam, SE; Jim Thompson, SC; Byron Morrison, SW; Jim Ollar and Tom Henderson, Central; Ann Leinn Gibson (replaces Marsha Alexander), WC; and Joan Hickman, NW. Jim Ollar recommended people in the mid-Missouri area attend the event at the Boone County Extension Center, where Tom Henderson will be providing refreshments. The downlink will highlight extension programs of excellence, possibly including a submission from Missouri on "Water Quality in the Classroom."

Awards Committee Report -- Brenda Procter’s reported that she has received two nominations for awards, with rumors of three others to be submitted. Deadline date is September 8. Discussion followed on recruiting applications for several of the awards not already applied for.

Membership Committee report -- Rex Ricketts reported that it’s time to send out membership reminder letters targeting the following four groups: (1) the newly-eligible (with names supplied by Jim Ollar’s office), (2) continuing members, (3) inactive members, and (4) those employed over five years but never been asked. There is currently no list for this last group. He asked about a state membership brochure. We have been using the national brochure. An idea was suggested to have a state insert for the national brochure, and Tom Henderson said he would get it done if Rex Ricketts gathers the material. Excerpts from the Loan and Fellowship Fund brochure were suggested for content.

The membership table at Annual Conference was discussed, and it was suggested to contact Rebecca Travnichek to make arrangements. Volunteers are needed to man the table.

A question was raised about when the dues increase takes effect for new retirees. Karla will visit with Judy Carlson at the National ESP to see when the change from $100 to $150 takes effect. Current information suggests it takes effect starting in 2001, so retirees who pay before then might get the $100 rate. Karla will share her findings with Barb Froke who is planning to send out retirement recognition certificates and recruit life memberships in the same correspondence. Dues will be $41 for continuing members and $46 for newly-eligible members, payable at Annual Conference.

Courtesy and Memorials Committee Report – In David Lindell’s absence, Karla reported that David will continue until Annual Conference to send out cards, as needed. Gail Carlson offered to contact Wilma Jean Lower (who is retiring) to see if she is willing to replace David as committee chair. Plans for someone to handle the memorial ceremony at Annual Conference were left open, pending the results of Gail’s contact with Wilma Jean.

Loan and Fellowship Committee Report – Pat Snodgrass was absent due to her new duties as interim Regional Director. Tom Henderson asked whether the Frances Pringle estate had been settled. Bob Schultheis said he thought so, because of the final payment made to the Webster County Extension Council, which was one of the recipients of the estate. Actual percentages of the distribution were unavailable.

Retirement Committee Report – Barb Froke reported she will send out retirement recognition certificates and a congratulations letter, along with a recruitment pitch for Life membership, after she hears from Karla Spencer about what the 2001 dues rate will be. Barb is sending several articles, including a retiree feature story, to Gail Carlson for inclusion in the newsletter. She handed out copies of the retiree survey and their responses. Eldon Cole asked how the ESP Retirement Committee meshes with the regional retiree groups. Barb explained she is coordinating her efforts with C.W. Browning, who works with the regional groups.

Annalist Report – Eldon Cole reported he had gotten several boxes of records from Larry Hale, but there was not much "good stuff" in them. Discussion followed on what records should be kept. The group agreed that meeting minutes, financial reports, past awardees, officer lists, Annual Conference programs, and perhaps newsletters and membership list summaries should be included. Brenda Procter said she will check with Jan Clark about records she might have on past awardees. Karla Spencer thought the National ESP might have some records as well. She said Linda Cook is replacing Judy Carlson at National ESP. It was agreed to have the President’s records over two years old be transferred directly to the Annalist for safekeeping.

President-Elect Report – Gail Carlson said the National ESP is asking state chapters for donations to recognize Judy Carlson with a retirement gift and Christmas ornament. After some discussion, Rex Ricketts moved and Tom Henderson seconded to send a $50 check plus a Christmas ornament (which Karla Spencer will obtain) typifying the state of Missouri. Motion passed.

Gail reported Missouri ESP needs to take a contribution for the auction for the National ESP Meeting on November 30 to December 2, 2000. Karla agreed to contact the Missouri Department of Agriculture about a donation of an AgriMissouri basket. If the basket can’t be obtained, Rex Ricketts moved to authorize $50 be spent to get an auction item. The motion was seconded and passed.

Gail asked that contributions for the next newsletter reach her by September 18.

Karla reported that Roxanne Miller has been appointed to the 2001 Public Issues Committee. Missouri is allowed two delegates and Roxanne may be asked to serve as one of them. It was suggested that covering her expenses as an ESP representative should first be pursued through the $600 per year professional improvement fund.

Bylaw Review Report – Gail Carlson reported that a committee including her, Jim Ollar, Dale Hagerman, and Bob Schultheis met by phone and made updates to the bylaws for Board consideration. The Board then spent considerable time reviewing the updates and suggesting further changes. Rex Ricketts then moved, with Bob seconding, that the revised bylaws be forwarded to the membership by October 1 so they can be voted on at the Annual Meeting.

Annual Conference Planning – Gail Carlson reported the ESP Breakfast and Annual Meeting will be held the morning of Tuesday, October 24, 2000 at the Holiday Inn Select in Columbia, MO, and the Joint Luncheon will be held at noon following Annual Conference at the Memorial Union. Jim Ollar agreed to be the coordinator of the ice cream social, which will be the dessert following the Monday noon meal.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:55pm.

Respectfully submitted,